Both principals discussed the FAO projects for rural development currently under implementation in Lebanon.

“Since you took office, we feel that cooperation has increased tremendously,” Minister Lahoud told FAO Director-General.

Lebanon’s Director General for Agriculture highlighted the challenges facing the country’s agricultural sector.

Graziano da Silva reiterated FAO’s willingness to support Lebanon in reinforcing the work already being done by the government to strengthen the sector.

The meeting also discussed the consequences of the Syrian crisis on the agricultural sector of Lebanon and reviewed the support FAO is providing in the region.

FAO’s Regional Response Plan which addresses critical needs in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey resulting from the crisis in Syria prioritizes three areas of support, including prevention of spread of trans boundary animal diseases, improving food and phytosanitary control services along the border with Syria and recovering food production and income generation among host communities and other vulnerable groups in the border and peri-urban areas of neighboring countries.

Lebanon’s Director General for Agriculture underscored the historical relationship between FAO and Lebanon and thanked the Director-General for the Organization's activities in his country.